The relatives of a nine-year-old boy who passed away after undergoing surgery at Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital have filed a complaint with the police, alleging negligence on the part of the hospital staff.
The child, identified as Dhanuja Wickramarachchi, was a Grade 4 student at a main school in Horana and a resident of Anguruwathota, Halthota, Pethikamuwa.
According to the complaint, Dhanuja was admitted to Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital on October 17, following consultations with a doctor attached to the same hospital. The consultation was conducted at a medical center in Piliyandala due to concerns about the child’s health. Based on the doctor’s advice, the child was admitted to the hospital for further medical intervention.
On October 18, the child was administered anesthesia for the scheduled surgery at approximately 1:30 p.m. While the procedure was successfully completed, the boy failed to regain consciousness afterward.
Relatives claim that despite their repeated requests, the hospital authorities delayed transferring the child to the intensive care unit of the Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital in Borella until 6:45 p.m. that same day. Tragically, Dhanuja succumbed to his condition four days later, at around 4:30 p.m. on October 22.
The family has accused the hospital staff of negligence and lodged a formal complaint with the police, demanding accountability for the circumstances leading to the child’s death.
